The Sixers are signing forward Jabari Walker to a two-year deal, Shams Charania reports for ESPN (via Twitter).
Earlier this month, Walker became the first player on a two-way contract to reach his 50-game active game limit, which forced him to miss Philadelphia’s last four games heading into the All-Star break.
By trading Jared McCain for a draft pick and Eric Gordon for the draft rights to Justinian Jessup, the Sixers opened up spots to convert both Walker and Dominick Barlow to standard contracts. Barlow signed a two-year deal with a team option on February 5.
After spending his first three seasons with the Blazers, Walker joined the Sixers on a two-way contract and quickly won a bench role in coach Nick Nurse‘s rotation.
Still just 23 years old, Walker brings defensive versatility and intensity on the wing, though he has struggled with his shot, hitting just 27.0% of his threes this season.
The Sixers are also signing veteran point guard Cameron Payne to their 15-man roster. He and Walker will fill Philadelphia’s 14th and 15th roster spots, but the team will have enough room below the luxury tax line after finalizing those contracts to make another roster move at the end of the season if necessary, notes Yossi Gozlan of The Third Apron (via Twitter).
If he can improve his shot, I think he can be a solid rotation piece. He does a lot of dirty work
“Payne and Walker’s deals on Thursday when the season resumes, which will give them the financial room for one more roster addition at the end of the season.”
Incorrect. The Sixers have 15 Standard contracts. They opened up a Two-Way spot with the Walker signing.
What they might have is the financial wiggle room to add a 16th player via Hardship due to the George suspension, but that would be sooner, not later (George is active again March 25th).
Love his game, him and Barlow have a lot of potential